Come December, Toshiba is determined to present you with a low-cost option to its current 10.1 inch android tablet, the Toshiba Thrive. Smaller, lighter (both in weight and on wallet) and brighter, it will be called ‘Toshiba Thrive 7-inch’. Odd name — but we’re not surprised!

In the Specs talk, Toshiba Thrive 7-inch is pretty much at par with the 10.1 Thrive, packing in same 1GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB RAM, 16GB/32GB storage space, 5MP and 2MP cameras, WiFi, etc. But while Thrive featured nearly all ports possible for a tablet, Thrive 7-inch has cut on some of them but gladly, has fully retained regular ones — 3.5mm headphone, Micro HDMI and Mini USB port.

That apart, Toshiba deserves a pat on its back for retaining the current Thrive’s display resolution of 1280 x 800 for the Thrive 7-inch too, while most of the other 7-inch android tablets (except Galaxy Tab 7.7) have a nasty habit of lowering their resolution to paltry 1024 x 600 pixels. The higher pixels count in 1280 x 800 increases the pixel density which result in better display (and better text).

Ohh, did we tell you it weighs just .88 pounds (that’s lovely 400 grams only) and is .47 inch thick (11.93 mm approx). Lastly, the thing you’ve been reading on for till this end, the price is said to be under $400, without contract.

So, you planning to buy it right away when it launches? Or would wait and see how quad-core stuff develops? But beware, waiting that might mean buying only 7-8 months later — not because quad-core tablet won’t launch but because of the size, price and other factors you would want.